tonarigumi; neighborhood association
Historical term for small-scale neighborhood associations established in Japan during WWII, responsible for fire fighting, policing, ration distribution, and civil defense.
During the war, tonarigumi played an important role in air-raid drills and ration distribution.
The tonarigumi system was established by the Home Ministry in 1940.
Standard kanji spelling; the most common written form.
Search-only kanji form; not a standard spelling.
Compound of 隣 (となり, 'neighbor') and 組 (くみ, 'group, association'), with rendaku voicing of くみ to ぐみ.